Cuelgamuros crypts hold remains of 33,800 Civil War victims

A new RTVE documentary, ‘Cuelgamuros, entre lo difícil y lo imposible’, directed by Belén Alonso and Manuel Diéguez, provides unprecedented access to the crypts of Cuelgamuros. The site contains the remains of more than 33,800 victims from both sides of the Spanish Civil War.

A forensic laboratory has been established in the Holy Sepulchre chapel to identify remains through DNA testing. It is estimated that approximately 12,000 bodies remain unidentified, as they are stored in boxes or plastic bags. To date, 214 families have formally requested the search for their relatives among the accumulated bones and mummified remains.

The documentary addresses the ongoing controversy regarding whether to continue excavating the mass graves or to cease disturbing the remains.